Projection of moving pictures



Dec. 269, 1936. E B. PATTERSON I PROJECTION OF MOVING PICTURES Filed Feb. 17, 1935 I l 1 l I L I I I l I l.

Patented Dec. 29, 1936 PATENT OFFICE PROJECTION OF Edward B. Patterson,

MOVING BICTURES Merchantville, N. J., as-

signor to Radio Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Application February 17, 1933, Serial No. 657,158

4 Claims.

This invention relates to the projection of moving pictures, either with or without sound synchronized with the action of the projected pictures, and has for its principal object the provision of an improved picture reproducing ap paratus which is readily portable in compact form from one location to another and has its various parts so disposed that they may be quickly 4brought into operative relation with respect to one another.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved sound picture vehicle which is so constructed that the projected pictures may be easily observed` and the reproduced sound may be clearly heard at different points to the front and rear of the vehicle.`

Other objects of the invention are the provision of an improved arrangement whereby the various parts are securely protected from dust and the like when they are not in operation, an improved mounting of a translucent motion projection screen, an improved picture projecting system which occupies a minimum of space, and an improved arrangement of the power source with respect to the various elements of the apparatus by which the power is utilized.

Various types of motion picture vehicles have been provided in the past. Many of these vehicles have not been altogether satisfactory; however, for the reason that the different parts of the projecting apparatus are not constructed as an integral part of the vehicle, are not sufiiciently protected from dust, moisture and the like, and are not readily operated without rapid deterioration of the projecting screen and other parts. In accordance with this invention, these difliculties are avoided by the provision of a collapsible projecting screen mounting which permits the screen to be assembledto operative condition from a dust and moisture proof casing without contact of the operators hands with the screen, a projecting system which includes a reflecting surface mounted on the cover of a relative small opening l in the vehicle roof, and a sound freproducer mounting which permits a cover to be readily moved over the mouths of the loud speakers when they are not in use. v

The invention will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection withthe accompanying drawing and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing, Fig. 1 is a plan view illustrating the application oi' the invention to a motor vehicle. and

Fig. 2 is a side View of the apparatus illustrated by Fig. 1.

This apparatus -includes a motor vehicle I0 provided with rear doors II and with a hinged cover or door I2 on its top. Disposed within the vehicle are a motion picture projector I3, a plurality of loud speakers I4, a gasoline engine I5 for driving the generating equipment from which operating current is derived, a compartment I6 containing the audio current amplifiers, and a dual turntable I1 which may be utilized to reproduce the audio current transmitted through the amplier I6 for operation of the loud speakers I4 in a manner well understood by those skilled in the art. It is apparent that this reproduced current may be derived from a sound track on the motion picture iilm instead of from the dual turntable phonograph I1.

Mounted at the front of the vehicle top is a case or trunk I8 wherein a collapsible translucent motion picture screen I9 is mounted. This screen is provided at each side with collapsible supports 20 which are unfolded by means of a hand crank 2| to unroll the screen I9 and stretch it taut in the position shown by Fig. 2, and are folded by rotation of the crank 2l to roll up the screen and dispose it and the supports in the case I8. Since the entire operation of unrolling and stretching the film is effected by rotation of the crank 2 I, all contact with the projection surface is avoided. When the screen is disposed Within the case I8 it is securely protected from dust and moisture. Long life of the screen under thus ensured.

'I'he loud speakers I4 are mounted on opposite sides of the vehicle. In order to protect them fromunnecessary exposure, sliding panels 22 are provided, these panels being so arranged as to securely cover the `mouths of the loud speakers 'when they are not operating.

The picture projecting system inciudes oppositely disposed reflecting surfacesv or mirrors 23 and 24. The mirror 24 is mounted on the underside' of the hinged cover I2 which is readily moved 'downwardly to cover the relatively small openingin the vehicle top.y

This arrangement has the important advantage that all the parts are permanently mounted and are easily and quickly brought into cooperative relation with one another. Due to the translucency o f the screen I9, the projected picture is `visible from both the front and the rear of the vehicle thus greatly increasing the range from which it may be observed.

- the rather adverse conditions of its operation is t projectie over for said o' ening, a screen 1nted on the rooi", e.. metio'- picture ci 'M the vehicle, a for for receivi Ag from t le projector through the openingand for reflecting the received lig'nt to tne screen and means mounted Within the veliioie for reproducing sound syncinonously with the projection oi the picture.

2. The combination of e, vehicle inciuding e, roof provided with a relativelg7 small opening substantially smaller than that required for direct projection, a cover or said opening, a screen mounted on the roof, a motion picture projector Within the vehicle, a mirror for receiving iight from the projector through the opening and for reiecting the received iight to tne screen and rneans mounted Within the vehicle for reproducing sound synchronously with the projection of the picture, the said sound reproducing means including a loud speaker mounted on the inner face or" e Waller" said vehicle.

3. The combination of e, vehicle roof provided n ce including e. with e. relatively small opening iiriired for di'- fcr seid opening, screen e c. motie ire projector ceiving light "irougn opening and .for -ved light to e screen and within the venicie for reprosynchronously with tile projection or" the picture, 'the said sound reproducing ineens :1 -cluding a loud speaker mounted on the inner ce of a wall of said vehicle and e. sliding panel arranged on the outer face of the wall of said vehicle to cover the opening of said loud speaker when it is not operating.

4. The combination of a'vehicle including e roof provided with a 'relatively small opening substantially smaller than that required for direct projection, a cover for said opening, e collapsible screen mounted in a case mounted on the roof, a motion picture projector Within the vehicle, a mirror for receiving iight from the projector' through the opening and for reecting the received iight to the screen and means mounted within the vehicle for reproducing sound synchronously with tlie projection of the picture.

ETWi-XRIZ 3. PATTERSON. 

